News (Media Awareness Project) - US NY: Drug Law Foes Push Petitions |
| Title: | US NY: Drug Law Foes Push Petitions |
| Published On: | 1999-05-07 |
| Source: | New York Daily News (NY) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 06:30:39 |
DRUG LAW FOES PUSH PETITIONS
Opponents of the Rockefeller drug laws set up shop in front of Brooklyn's
state Supreme Courthouse yesterday to collect signatures on petitions and
call attention to the statewide campaign to repeal the laws.
Along the railing in front of the statue of Christopher Columbus
facing Court St., the opponents displayed large posters of people,
most of them African-American or Latino, who drew sentences of 15
years or more for first-time drug possession.
"This makes no sense," said Michelle Riggins, 36, of East New York as
she looked at the pictures of those convicted.
"You have killers and sex offenders who come out in less time and do
the same crimes over again. What these people did was wrong, but it
was mostly to themselves. Something is seriously wrong here."
The tough drug laws, enacted in May 1973 at the urging of Gov. Nelson
Rockefeller, require judges to set sentences of 15 years to life if
offenders are convicted of carrying more than 4 ounces of a narcotic,
regardless of the offender's record.
Randy Credico, director of the Rockefeller Drug Law Project for the
William Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice, said so far, his group had
collected 20,000 signatures in favor of repealing the laws.
The group plans to take them to Gov. Pataki next month, he
said.
Although the governor proposed minor changes in the laws this week,
Credico said his group was seeking total repeal. They are holding
vigils, rallies and conducting an ad campaign.
"And we may turn to civil disobedience," he said.
Minerva Dones of Williamsburg said she attends every rally because her
grandson, Juan Roque, 29, was sentenced to 25 years to life on a
charge of conspiracy. No drugs were found in his possession, she said.
"These laws are much too strict, not only for the men, but the women,
too," she said.
But Chaim Kronenberg, a Canarsie resident serving jury duty, said he
thought the laws should remain the same.
"Nobody told these people to sell drugs, especially to kids," he said.
"If they do, they should go to jail for life."
Opponents of the Rockefeller drug laws set up shop in front of Brooklyn's
state Supreme Courthouse yesterday to collect signatures on petitions and
call attention to the statewide campaign to repeal the laws.
Along the railing in front of the statue of Christopher Columbus
facing Court St., the opponents displayed large posters of people,
most of them African-American or Latino, who drew sentences of 15
years or more for first-time drug possession.
"This makes no sense," said Michelle Riggins, 36, of East New York as
she looked at the pictures of those convicted.
"You have killers and sex offenders who come out in less time and do
the same crimes over again. What these people did was wrong, but it
was mostly to themselves. Something is seriously wrong here."
The tough drug laws, enacted in May 1973 at the urging of Gov. Nelson
Rockefeller, require judges to set sentences of 15 years to life if
offenders are convicted of carrying more than 4 ounces of a narcotic,
regardless of the offender's record.
Randy Credico, director of the Rockefeller Drug Law Project for the
William Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice, said so far, his group had
collected 20,000 signatures in favor of repealing the laws.
The group plans to take them to Gov. Pataki next month, he
said.
Although the governor proposed minor changes in the laws this week,
Credico said his group was seeking total repeal. They are holding
vigils, rallies and conducting an ad campaign.
"And we may turn to civil disobedience," he said.
Minerva Dones of Williamsburg said she attends every rally because her
grandson, Juan Roque, 29, was sentenced to 25 years to life on a
charge of conspiracy. No drugs were found in his possession, she said.
"These laws are much too strict, not only for the men, but the women,
too," she said.
But Chaim Kronenberg, a Canarsie resident serving jury duty, said he
thought the laws should remain the same.
"Nobody told these people to sell drugs, especially to kids," he said.
"If they do, they should go to jail for life."
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
